PEORIA, Ill. – The two parents accused of killing eight-year-old Navin Jones last month through beating and malnourishment have pleaded not guilty to murder counts.
Stephanie Jones, 35, and Brandon Walker, 40, appeared in court Thursday afternoon via video, two days after Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos announced a grand jury had filed new charges.
The two also were appointed public defenders, though Walker indicated he may hire a private attorney.
But a prosecution motion to increase their $1 million bonds was not heard, because, as Judge John Vespa said, it would be “terribly unfair” to Jones and Walker, since they just received attorneys.
They’ll now be in court April 21 at 9:00 a.m., but could go to trial in mid-July.
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